Researchers conducting online survey on heat, cold, and MS

January 28, 2019

Researchers from Loughborough University in the UK are conducting an online survey about heat and cold in multiple sclerosis.

The survey specifically focuses on what methods patients use to cope with the symptom worsening induced by exposure to heat and cold. Ultimately, this knowledge will be relevant to develop patient-centered approaches to ameliorate the burden of temperature sensitivity in MS.

Before starting the survey, you will be required to complete an informed consent form. The survey itself will take about 15 minutes to complete. Once completed, responses will be saved and will be accessible by only the researchers. If at any point during the questionnaire, you no longer feel comfortable answering the questions, you will be free to terminate your participation by closing the web browser and your responses will not be used for the purpose of this research.

The survey will collect demographic-based information: age range, sex, year of MS diagnosis, and MS treatment regime. This information will help determine whether certain aspects of temperature sensitivity in MS relates to specific age-ranges, sex, treatment regimes or type of MS. You will not be required to provide any personal identifiable information (e.g. name and address) and so your participation will remain anonymous and confidential.

Loughborough University will act as the data controller for this study. This means that the University is responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. Loughborough University will keep identifiable information about you until this project is completed in May 2019. Loughborough University will hold information securely for six years. The University’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at dp@lboro.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, contact Jasmine O’Garro at J.ogarro15@student.lboro.ac.uk.